Track-laying machine.



R. H'. SIMPsoN.

TRACK LAYING MACHINE.

APPLIGATION I'ILED APB.. 17, 1912.

Patented Apr. 15, 1913.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

.v wLUMlIIA PMNOURAPH C0 WASHINGTON. D. C.

R. H. SIMPSON. TRACK LAXING MAGHINB. APPLICATIONA FILED APB.. 17, 1912.

coLUMBIA PLANDGRAPH co..wASH|NuTDN. D` C.

R. H. SIMPSON. TRACK LAYING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 17, 1912.

Patented Apr. 15, 1913.

3 SHEETB-SHEET 3.

` Wfn e sses.

RALPH H. SIMPSON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

TRACK-LAYING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 15, 1913.

Application flied April 17, 1912. serial No. 691,392.

To @ZZ whom t may concern Be it known that I, RALPH I-I. SIMPSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Track-Laying Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates toymachines which are used for laying railway track when in course of construction. These usually have consisted of devices attached to a train of cars movable by means of the usual locomotive engine. Attached to such a train, upon which is carried the track laying material, is a distributing or pioneer car at the front end. So-called trams or troughs are placed on each side of the train, and provided with mechanism for moving the material forward to the distributing or pioneer car. The latter is also provided with extensions of such trams and derrick devices for controlling them to distribute the material when placed in the trams and moved forward to the point of use. When a certain number of ties have been laid and the rails secured in place the train is moved forward as far as possible and ties suiiicient to lay the next track space are sent forward over the trams and discharged in one placef But such discharge is irregular and without reference to the final disposition of the ties in the track. They are in fact thrown out more or less promiscuously and then placed in position by the construction gang. This necessitates their distribution over a considerable space by manual labor before the steel can be put on them and secured' in place.

It is the object of my invention to utilize the time of moving the train forward by distributing the ties during that movement, to provide immediately available storage at the front of the train for sufiicient ties to cover the predetermined forward space of each movement, t0 utilize the pushing power of the locomotive to actuate the tie discharging mechanism, to arrange the separate mechanisms in such relation to each-other that the ties will be discharged in definite and uniform relation tothe forward speed of the train and distributed at substantially equal distances over the space advanced, and also to provide a simple complete and efficient means by which the ties will be discharged transversely of the grade in position, as well as at proper distances, to receive the steel when advanced and placed thereon.

The principles of my invention are illustrated in the drawings, in which- Figures 1 and 2 are respectively side -elevat-ion and plan views somewhat diagrammatic in character of my improved track laying machine; Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a sectional view on line 4-4 of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a detail of a feed roll clutch; Fig. 6 is an enlarged view of the sprocket wheel clutch; Figs. 7 and 8 are details of a tramway as attached to the side of a train, and Fig. 9 shows a cross section of Fig. 7 on the line 8-8, together with a detailed View of a mechanism for attaching the same to the side of a car; Fig. 10 shows a different device for driving the feed rolls from that shown in Fig. 4.

Further describing my invention with reference to the drawings, in which like characters of reference denote like parts throughout: Fig. 1 shows the side elevation of a pioneer or material distributing car supported on wheels as indicated at 1-1, 2 2. This is provided with frame work including uprights 3 from which extend the guy ropes 4 to the swinging boom 5 which supports the extension tramways over which material is distributed to the track ahead. The pioneer car is provided wit-l1 a stationary engine 6 which, according to the usual custom, is supplied with steam from the locomotive engine driving the train through pipe 7. The engine 6 is madeto drive a shaft 8 which extends backwardly and actuates the tram mechanism shown in Figs. 7 and 8. These trams consist of longitudinal timbers 9 and 9 framed together at a uniform distance by the tie pieces 10. Rolls 11 are journaled in said longitudinal timbers with toothed feed disks 12. A bevel gear 13 on the shaft 8, which is journaled as shown at 15 on the side of vthe timber 9, meshes with gear 14 driving roll 11. The lat-ter by gears 13 and 14 drives shaft 3 journald at 15 to timber 9 which by similar gears to those last described drives roll 11 and other feed rolls. Intermediate dead rolls or idlers 16 are placed between the timbers 9-9 and a guide strip 17 placed adjacent to said roll 16 is adapted to take a tie passing in the direction of the arrow 18 and guide it on the top of said roll 16. The mechanism last described is supported asillustrated in Fig. 9 by a hanger 20 having a hooked end 21 Lin adapted to be passed through and engaged upon the upper edge of a stake pocket 22. Keyed thereto is a transverse shaft 23 provided with the rollers 24, 25 upon which rest the timbers 9-9 of the tramway. A brace 26 attached to the lower part of the hanger 20 projects upwardly and outwardly to engage with and support the shaft 23.

It will be understood that the mechanism last described is to be attached to one side of a train made up as is customary in this class of work. The several sections of the tram are jointed together as illustrated at 28, and the shaft 8 is provided with uni- .versal .joints 29 to allow the tramway to conform itselfto curves in the track as the cars move :thereover Such trains are usually made up with a pioneer car (illustrated in Fig. l) at the head of the train, followed by flat cars carrying steel rails and by other cars carrying ties, which are to be distributed andlaid. The locomotive is placed centrally of the train or at the rear thereof as is most convenient when the train is standing still. The operation of the engine 6 on the pioneer car causes the shaft 8 `to revolve, `thereby movingthe feed rolls l1. Ties are loaded into the tramway upon such feed rolls and are carried over them and over the idle rolls to the front of the train until they reach the pioneer car. Thus far the apparatus shown is similar to the devices and the arrangement of track laying machinery now in use.

Under the present practice the ties are continuously fed through a continuation of a single tram Ato the front of the pioneer car, where after the train has been advanced the ties are discharged practically at one point, from which they are distributed by manual labor in proper position. I, however, provide the pioneer car with a plurality of tramways 30 and 3l similar to those described, placed one above the other. Each of these is in cross section similar to 4the one above described, and both are supported by the boom 5.

The general arrangement of the device is shown in the cross section 4 4 as illustrated in Fig. 4, in which a shaft 35 is journaled at 36 and 37 to timbers 36 and 37 of the pioneer car. Said shaft is provided with a sprocket pinion A38 connected by a sprocket chain 38 to the sprocket gear 39 mounted on the car axle 40. The outer end of shaft 35 is provided with a bevel gear 41 which, by means of a bevel gear 42, drives the vertiy cal shaft 43 journaled at 44, and at the upper portion 45 to the car frame. The upper end of said shaft 43 has a bevel gear 46 which, with the bevel gear 42 meshes with the corresponding gears 42 and 46 thereby driving the tramway shafts 48 and 49. A similar and simple equivalent for the mecha.- nism vlast described is shown in Fig. l0 in whichv a sprocket wheel 35 is placed on shaft 35. Connection thereof is made by a sprocket chain 35 with a wheel 49 on shaft 49. The shafts 48 and 49 are provided with toothed collars 50 slidable thereon and kept from revolution by means of the key 5l. Springs 52 keep said toothed collar in engagement with thesleeves 53, which together with the toothed disks 54 provide the live roll mechanism by which the ties are fed forward. The clutch device shown and also that illustrated in Fig. 6 placed within the sprocket pinion 38 provide eiicient automatic means for disconnecting the tram rolls whenever the train is backed up. The v engage, however, when the train is moved forward, causing the tics to be fed proportionately to the distance traveled as will be hereinafter explained. A switch section 55 pivoted at 56 on the rear of the pioneer car is adapted to take ties coming from the main tram and distribute them to the plurality of vertically disposed trams hereinliefore described. The forward end of said switch tram is moved by a bell crank lever 57 con trolled by the operator on the pioneer car. It will be seeirthat ties coming over the main tram from the rear of the train can be guided by means of this switch section to one of my pioneer car trams until a suliicicnt number have been placed thereon, each tie pushing the one next forward and the sleeves v58 running free from engagen'ient with the clutch 50. Then a sufficient number of ties have been delivered to this tram the switch section is shifted and the operation continued until the second tram has a suliicient number of ties thereon. The mechanism is then stopped and the loaded ties await their discharge at the proper time. The operation described is understood to take place when the track laying machine has been advanced and the track laying gang is placing steel on ties already distributed.

The pioneer car trams already described should have a curved extension 60 as illustrated in Fig. 3. This should consist of a vertical wall 61' and a floor or flange 62, upon which the ties 63 can be slid forward. Said flange is interrupted as indicated at 64 and interrupted or tern'iinated at. (3.7. The relation of the sprocket gear arid piir ion 39 and 3S should be such that the train feed rolls will be moved in such definite relation to the distance traversed by the train as to discharge the proper number of ties required for each successiveadvance ol the machine. Such advances correspond to the length of the standard rail, viz., il() feet, and the usual number of ties for said space of 30 feet is 18. Vllith this standard arrangement nine ties should be placed on each one of the pioneer car trams and with the proper arrangement of gearing, which is one of design only, the forward motion of the train through 30 feet should discharge the entire number of 18 ties, nine from each tram. As shown in F ig. 2 one of said trams is advanced beyond the other by the standard distance between three ties. As the train is moved forward each tie will be carried on the iiange 62 until it reaches the interrupted portions 64 and 65 from which it will drop transversely of the track and with substantially correspondingspaoing with reference to the o-ther ties. Of the next pair of ties dropped the rear one will go between those last described and the front one in advance of both. The complete discharge through the advance of 30' feet will leave the required number of 18 ties so as to require very little yadjustment or handling, and practically in position to take the steel which is advanced through a tram on the other side of the track laying train ready to be placed in the space on which ties have been placed as described.

I claim:

1. The combination in a track laying machine of material cars-provided with a tram,

a pioneer car in front thereof provided with a tram, means independent of the train movement for actuating the first named tram when the machine is at rest to charge the tram on the pio-neer car, and mean/s independent of the first named tram actuating means for discharging the pioneer car tram.

2. The combination in a track laying machine of material cars provided with a tram, a pioneer car in front thereof provided with a tram, means independent of the train movement for actuating the first named tram when the machine is at rest to charge the tram on the pioneer car, and means operatively connected with the supporting wheels of said car for discharging the tram during its forward movement.

3. In a track laying machine, a pioneer car, a plurality of tie trams on the pioneer car placed vertically above each other and each provided with tie advancing 1nechanisin, and means actuated by the supporting wheels of said car for simultaneously actuating' the tie advancing mechanism of Said tramsI dilring the forward movement of the car.

et. In a track laying machine, a pioneer car, a tram extended forwardly from the pioneer car and provided with tie advancing mechanism, means operatively connected with the supporting wheels of said car for actuating the tie advancing mechanism during their forward movement, material cars placed rearwardly of the pioneer' oar and provided with tie trams, and means independent of the train movement for advancing ties therefrom to the tram on the pioneer car.

5. In a track laying machine, a pioneer car, a plurality of tra-ms extended forwardly from the pioneer car and provided with tie advancing mechanism, means operatively connected with the supporting wheels of said car for actuating the tie advancing mechanism during their forward movement, material cars placed rearwardly of the pioneer car provided with tie trams, means independent of the tram movement for advancing ties thereon, and a switch section to connect the last named tram to the trams on the pioneer car.

6. In a track laying machine, the combination with a pioneer car,` of a plurality of tie trams placed vertically above each other and extended forwardly from the car, tie advancing mechanism on said trams, and means for simultaneously actuating the same.

7. In a track laying machine, the combination with a pioneer car, of a plurality of tie trams placed vertically above each other and extended forwardly from the car to different distances in advance thereof, tie advancing mechanism on said trams, and means for actuating the same.

8. In a track laying machine, the combination with a pioneer car, of a plurality of tie trams placed vertically above each other and extended forwardly from the car, tie advancing mechanism on said trams, and means connected with the supporting wheels of said pioneer car for actuating the tie advancing mechanism.

9. In a track laying machine, the combination with a pioneer car, of a plurality of tie trams extended forwardly from the car to different distances in advance thereof and having their discharge end turned transversely of the track, tie advancing mechanism on said trams, and means for actuating the same.

l0. A tie tram for track laying machines comprising a chute extended forwardly from the pioneer car, and means for advancing ties thereon, the extreme gend of said chute being curved transversely of the track and provided with a vertical curved flange or wall, and being further provided with a horizont-al flange or floor, the latter being so formed as to allow a tie to drop therefrom when suiiiciently advanced with reference to said vertical flange.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 15th day of April, at Chicago, Illinois, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

RALPH H. SIMPSON. Witnesses:

C. K. CHAMBERLAIN, A. S. PHILLIPS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

